Fighting violence with HOPE

STOCKTON - Former gang members and ex-convicts came face to face with victims of violent crimes Saturday in central Stockton.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - Former gang members and ex-convicts came face to face with victims of violent crimes Saturday in central Stockton.

Helping Other People Expand, a community outreach and gang prevention program, held its first Families Against Violence event at Eden Park. Rep. Jerry McNerney and Vice Mayor Paul Canepa spoke before 300 to 400 people at the event, which included food, live music and a performance by Polynesian dancers. Also on hand were members of the Victims of Violent Crimes of San Joaquin County.

HOPE co-founder Glenn Jose described the event as a success.

"We're going to be doing this every month at every park in Stockton," Jose said. "The reason we're doing it is for community outreach and so we can get some of these gang members to come out and talk to members of the community so they can see there's a way out."

One former gang member and ex-convict who attended the event was Simon Sotelo, 48, who has served three stints totaling 19 years in state prison. Sotelo joined HOPE after his most recent prison stint.

"I'm here because I needed to make a change in my life," Sotelo said. "When I came home from previous times of being incarcerated, I always went back to doing the same old thing, and that just led me back to the same old place.

"When I came out, I wanted to do something different. Now, I have a purpose. I'm committed to trying to help others do something better because, hey, prison sucks."

Also in attendance were representatives of the California Highway Patrol. Officer James Smith, a spokesman for the CHP, applauded HOPE for its efforts.

"They're trying to reach out to the community and get violence stopped, and as a law enforcement agency here in Stockton, we wanted to show our presence and our support for our community," Smith said. "The people here are trying to make their community better, and it's going to take the whole entire community to make Stockton the glorious city it can be. No one person can do it. It has to be the whole community coming together, and that's what they're doing here today."